State leaders visit Jackson to promote safety plan

JACKSON, Tenn. — State leaders traveled to McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport in Jackson on Wednesday to promote a plan they hope will keep people in Tennessee safer.

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said the governor’s new safety action plan would make it easier for domestic violence victims to get protection orders, enhance sentences for certain serious crimes and increase funding for drug treatment courts.

“Those individuals with serious drug addiction problems are less apt to move down a road of criminal activity if we can address their addiction problems on the front end,” Gibbons said.

Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Derrick Schofield said the plan also includes a risk assessment and alternative sanctions, including possible GPS monitoring or short-term confinement. “We really want to make the best use of bed space,” he said.

The plan also reorganizes the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security into three different bureaus — preparedness, analytics and operations.

“The threat changes,” Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Assistant Commissioner David Purkey said. “If you don’t respond to that threat and make adjustments, then you’re not doing your job.”

The group has several other stops planned across the state.